Emma Thompson: Hollywood's enduring sexism is 'very disturbing and sad'

Emma Thompson sees no "appreciable improvement" in the movie industry's treatment of female actors, she told Radio Times magazine, and "the question of how they are supposed to look is worse than it was even when I was young." In fact, Thompson added, "some forms of sexism and unpleasantness to women have become more entrenched and indeed more prevalent."

Thompson, 56, said that Hollywood is still ageist and still offers few good opportunities for women, things that were supposed to change. "When I was younger, I really did think we were on our way to a better world and when I look at it now, it is in a worse state than I have known it, particularly for women and I find that very disturbing and sad," she said. She acknowledged that her newest role, a 77-year-old prostitute in the film The Legend of Barney Thompson, is "a bit ageist" itself, but added that "it’s a wildly comic role and I couldn’t resist." Read more of Thompson's interview at Radio Times.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up